Skeeters in the swamp

Wow, it was warm and humid in the swamp this afternoon. And the mosquitoes were getting bad… they kept me moving. I would have dawdled along watching for critters and admiring flowers, but there was too much buzzing and biting. Those dragonfly perches were being well used, but those guys should have been hunting along the trails… there were lots more mosquitoes in the shady areas. Maybe we need some additional perches. The old turtle seemed to be enjoying a bake in the sun.

I hadn't been fishing in a long while

Well, I don't know whether that qualified as "fishing". I sneaked off to the lake to test a rod.... that's my testing laboratory, ya know. I found a short spinning rod and wanted to see whether it would cast a fly line... I want a fly rod to fit in my backpack. The experiment failed, but the morning was pretty. The ducks and turtles were busy, the green heron was also fishing, and the brim were biting on every cast... all small ones.

Hot afternoon in the swamp

It's getting pretty warmin the afternoons. In the swamp, humidity builds and makes it even more sticky. Even this little cottonmouth sought out a shady spot to coil up for siesta. Wildflowers were smiling at the heatwave, however.

One Sunday in spring

There is a beech grove in the “hills” that front the Bluebonnet Swamp. It was a lovely afternoon for a walk; it was cool, with low humidity and a nice breeze. I saw few critters, but the birds made the woods ring with their songs. I had only a quick hike, as I didn’t have time to tarry.

Hot now, summer in the city

The box turtle was out for a stroll, yesterday. The afternoon was quite warm and animal activity included much of the two- legged variety. I saw a few critters, despite all the people blundering around; I get spoiled at having the Bluebonnet Swamp all to myself. There were a few birds and squirrels; the snakes had already gone into hiding; and the tree frog I often visit ducked into his hole as soon as I rounded the bend. This skink was not much calmer. I’ve seen a lot of the shiny green bugs, this year. I think those are “tiger beetles” and wonder if that is the adult phase of what I call a doodlebug.

Visiting the swamp

Yesterday afternoon was beautiful in the swamp, cool with low humidity. That snake was a visitor, too: the grey- banded king snake ranges out Texas, New Mexico way. Lots of critters were sunning, wherever they could find a few rays shining through the thickening canopy. I was particularly entertained by the baby turtle being perched just above the water; he found a knob to sit on.

In a previous life....

I rember visiting a dear friend in this cute little house. Out for hiking- therapy this morning, I stopped to snap a picture. Amazing, how trails can diverge. I guess mine turned left at this intersection, as I eventually lived halfway down the block.

“This figurehead from the battleship Louisiana is erected in memory of the soldiers and sailors who served the flag in the Spanish- American war 1898- 1902 – erected MDMXXXIX”